...living a less toxic life!

• Oct. 13, 2008 - The Simple Woman's Daybook - Oct. 13th

Posted By Plain Jane in The Simple Woman's Daybook



For Today, Monday, October 13th, 2008
Columbus Day


Outside My Window...it's gray and rainy and unseasonably warm (68).  We are enjoying some warm weather in front of a cold front moving in - temps will drop as the day progresses. 

I'm thinking...not currently thinking. 

From the learning rooms...Another fun week planned.  Doing another couple of Old Testament Activity Pac's for our lapbooks and trying our hand a making silhouettes and mapping out the Colonies for our Early American studies.   

I am thankful for...all the material blessings that are so easy to take for granted in America, but we wouldn't have in many countries - like a cozy home protected from the elements, a soft bed, a kitchen stocked with food, electricity - oh soooo much.  I'm also thankful that my husband has a good job.  During a time when so many have lost their jobs or things are iffy, we are thankful.        

From the kitchen...
Monday ~ Salmon and Rice
Tuesday ~ Ham Steaks & Hash Browns
Wednesday ~ Roast Beef
Thursday ~  Mom's Choice (?) 
Friday ~ Pizza 
 
Saturday ~ Spaghetti and Garlic Bread
Sunday ~ Chow Mein Hotdish

(We started to incorporate that on the anniversary each month of a family member's birthday - they get to pick what they want for supper.  My birthday is on the 16th of a certain month, so I get to pick every 16th of the month.  Just a simple way of saying "You are Special" to each family member.)

I am creating...a shopping list of things I keep forgetting we need until we need them - like, we really need an additional table lamp in our family room since my mom borrowed back the one we had and daylight hours are getting shorter. lol  

I am going...to stay home today.

I am wearing...usual barnwear -- denim capris, chartreuse three-quarter length sleeved t-shirt, barefoot, hair is long & uncombed yet.  

I am reading... Esther - Job and I & II Thessalonians
"Herbs...Gardens, Decorations, and Recipes"    

I am hoping... I can shed a few pounds this week.

I
am hearing...the clock tick and the computer engine.  Bookworm pouring cereal and Ladybug talking to Sprinkles (the barn cat) that just showed up at the door for breakfast. 
 
Around the house & barn...
usual barn & house chores.  Perhaps after school today I'll go out to the garden and dig us some carrots if it's not raining too hard. 

One of my favorite things... learning more and more about God's awesome creation and providential hand throughout history.  What a great and mighty God we serve!  

A few plans for the rest of the week... this will be a farily busy week for us, going to a tea room with one grandma on Tuesday and taking the other grandma to laser eye surgery on Thursday.  Bookworm is trying to plan a girly get-together for Saturday, but may have to reschedule it if not enough can attend. 

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...
A partial view from our back deck this morning - our 3 horses on the left & the neighbor's 3 on the right.

If you would like to join us in The Simple Woman's Daybook, please see our Hostess, Peggy for details.  You may also visit her for the Mr. Linky to others.
Comments (7) :: Post A Comment! :: Permanent Link

• Oct. 12, 2008 - Overheard in an Orchard

Posted By Miiko in Spiritual Musings

Overheard in an Orchard

Said the Robin to the Sparrow:
“I really should like to know
Why these anxious human beings
Rush about and worry so?”

Said the Sparrow to the Robin:
“Friend, I think that it must be
That they have no Heavenly Father
Such as cares for you and me.”

- Elizabeth Cheney

Anxiety, agitation, and apprehension. Like a circle unbroken I sometimes find myself trapped in this spinning existence. What does that reflect when I allow myself to be sucked into that kind of fretful swirl? Simply my lack of trust and reliance on the Lord.

To be perfectly at peace and at rest seems but a dream then.

Yet all the worrying has never made me a better wife, mother or person. It breaks the beauty of the day. It blinds me from simple joys. It cripples rather that strengthens my daily resolve to live for the Lord. And don't my children crave for more smiles when their mama discards her cheerful countenance and cloaks on foreboding thoughts instead?

So when I find myself fretting away (or mindlessly opening the freezer for more chocolate chips – they somehow go together unless it's that time of the month), I remember....I recall...I bring to mind who I worship....

I worship the God of peace.

Yes! Our God of peace can bless us with His peace; God's peace. And only the peace of God is worth pursuing. It starts when we let go of our anxieties and worries. And replace that “void” with the assurance that we can totally trust God.  Indeed we can! Meditating on His Word and communing with our Father help the process a lot...

So as I face the prospect of a new week...I'm going to let my mind come under His captivity. I'm going to live each moment and savor each experience with abandonment, under the shadow of His wing. I'm gonna fly! :)

Have a carefree week ahead, my friends.

Comments (0) :: Post A Comment! :: Permanent Link

• Oct. 13, 2008 - Day 3: 21 Days to More Godly Communication- Random Acts of Kindness

Posted By Communication FUNdamentals
The Lord instructs us on the power of the tongue hundreds of times in His Word.  Our tongues may be used uplift others.  Day 3 of my "21 Days to More Godly Communication" comes from Proverbs. 


"Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul
and healing to the bones."
-Proverbs 16:24


It doesn't take much to make someone's day.  And what may require only a little effort on our part could be a lifeline to that person!  After a hard day, a smile can soothe, a kind word can calm, a gracious gesture can restore.  Isn't it worth the few seconds it takes to a sweet soul who might be in need?

We're all busier than ever these days which is why that little effort means even more. 

Negative communication travels faster and farther than positive communication by a factor of 10!  If someone has received bad customer service, no matter how busy they are, they will tell someone about their experience.  No matter what might be pressing at home, he will find the time to get back on the phone and complain to the manager.  Regardless of plans, he will take whatever time necessary to write an email to that individual who wronged him.  But how often do we see a post sharing a good experience.  We always think, well, I just don't have the time to write an email to his boss telling him how happy I was with the customer service I received.  I'm just too busy to spend time writing a letter to thank someone for that event.  I'm booked, I can't justify spending time to tell someone I like what they are doing.  Besides, it's his job. He should do it well! 

Oh... see now, you fell into the trap.  This is why the Lord tells us how important our kind word can be to someone. 

How much effort does it take to smile at the old man crossing the street?  How much time does it really take to dash off an email telling Joan that she did a great job hosting that party last week.  How much trouble would it be to take a moment to acknowledge a blogger for his post?  How much would it cost you to share your positive experiences with Connie the Customer Service Rep with her boss? 

Now consider how much it might mean to Connie?  Perhaps Connie is struggling to make ends meet.  Maybe she is missing her son who she has to leave with a babysitter each day.  Suppose her boss is wrestling with a decision to lay someone off?  Your little two line email to him might save Connie's job and her son's happiness.

There was a story I heard years ago about a schoolboy who felt like an outsider.  He didn't have many friends.  This particular day another boy noticed him, flashed a smile and helped him pick up his books that he had dropped.  It took only a minute.  After that, the two began spending time and eventually became close friends.    At graduation, the one boy revealed to his long time friend that, on that day so long ago now that he had helped him pick up his books, he had decided to kill himself.  His mind was changed in an instant by the random act of kindness shown him by this boy.  I don't know if this story is true, but the lesson is!  You never know what good will come of taking a few moments to communicate to someone that you appreciate them. 

God put us here to be salt and light in a dark world.  With these random acts of kindness, we make a difference in someone's life.   We build someone's confidence.  We we show the world we are His Children. 


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

JoJo Tabares holds a degree in Speech Communication, but it is her humorous approach to communication skills which has made her a highly sought-after Christian speaker and writer.  Her articles appear in homeschool publications, such as Homeschool Enrichment Magazine and The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, which also endorses her Say What You Mean curricula.  You can also find JoJo on web sites such as Crosswalk.com and Dr.Laura.com.  For more information on communication FUNdamentals and Christian-based communication studies for the whole family, please visit http://www.ArtofEloquence.com

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Comments (0) :: Post A Comment! :: Permanent Link

• Oct. 12, 2008 - 21 Days to More Godly Communication -Day 2

Posted By Communication FUNdamentals in Defending the Faith Sundays
The Lord talks about communication hundreds of times in His Word.  Though many people think of communication as speech/debate, the Lord instructs us in the daily use of our tongue.  Day 2 of my 21 Days to More Godly Communication comes from 1Peter and will serve as this week's Defending the Faith SONday post as well. 


"But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:" 1Peter 3:15



We communicate for several reasons: to share information, to gain information, to fellowship, to entertain- though the most important reason for us to communicate is to share the Gospel.  We can become as eloquent as a politician, as successful as a millionaire, but if we haven't shared God's love with those who don't know Him, we don't understand this verse.  Let's look at this verse a little closer. 

Right up front He tells us to "sanctify the Lord" in our hearts.  Sanctify means to consecrate, to set aside for a sacred purpose.  We are to hold a sacred place in our hearts for the Lord for He is Holy and His words are precious.  Anything precious should be treasured and something treasured should be given proper attention. 

Next He tells us to "be ready".  When we want to be ready to go out, we need to prepare.  We get dressed, gather our things we are to take, etc.  Being ready to share our faith with someone also means being prepared.  It takes educating ourselves about the Lord, His Word and how to share it.   This takes practice.  We cannot just throw any old words at the unsaved and hope they stick. 

The very next word the Lord uses here is "always".  How often are we to be ready?  Not just one time, but always!  Every time.  Preparing for a test takes some effort.  Preparing to enter that field takes much MORE preparation!  The Lord isn't asking us to be prepared to share our faith with one man or one person a month.  He is asking us always to be prepared to share our faith.  That requires much more communication skill because each situation is different. 

Next this verse tells us that we are to be prepared to share our faith with "every man".  God doesn't make Cookie-Cutter-People.  Each person sees the world differently.  Each of us comes from a particular culture with different experiences and beliefs.  No two people see things in quite the same way so we cannot approach each person the same way-especially about something as precious as the Lord.  Advertising agencies understand this concept.  They often create different ads for the same product to appeal to the different customers.  One segment of customers may place value on the brand name and the sleek look of the car while another segment may value its gas mileage.  It takes much more time and money to prepare two ad campaigns, but it is worth it in results.  One size does NOT fit all. 

I find it interesting that He says "to anyone who asketh you".  I've read the Bible through several times and nowhere in God's Word have I found where God forced Himself on anyone.  Jesus met with great resistance.  He had great power here on earth to heal.  Surely Jesus could have made people believe!  He asked the rich man to follow him, but he wasn't willing to give up what he had.  Jesus never even argued with him.  He just let him walk away.  If Jesus didn't force anyone to become a Christian, who are we to do so?

Furthermore, the Lord tells us to do so with meekness and fear.  Contrary to what many believe, meekness does not mean being weak or wimpy.  Meekness is a gentleness.   This is an emphasis I believe on the fact that we are not to push people or argue with them about the Lord.  We are to be gentle as we share and respectful of the choices others may make though we don't agree with them.  How we share our faith is a reflection not only of us, but of our Lord.  The is a danger in sharing our faith the "wrong way" understanding that the wrong way for one may be the perfect way for another.  Sharing our faith in a way that angers or frustrates or confuses someone may close the door on any other opportunity you have to share with that person again.  But even more damaging, sharing your faith the wrong way may close the door on EVERYONE who shares in ANY way about Jesus. 

Lastly, you will notice that this is not a suggestion; it's a command.  God's choice of words are purposeful.  It's not an option.  It's not easy, but then the Lord never said life as a Christian would be easy.  In fact, He tells us that we will be persecuted for His namesake.  Sharing the faith was never easy and it's more difficult today than it has been in the past. However, there are things we can do to become proficient at it.  There are things we can learn that make it easier.  The more you learn about something and the more you practice, the easier it becomes.  How long did it take you to learn to speak, walk, play football, crochet, or do your job?  Wasn't it worth it in the end? 

Sharing our faith is a command from the Lord so that all have a chance to come to the saving knowledge of Christ Jesus.  Today's world is more complicated and therefore, so is our job.  The good news is that we can prepare.  We can learn God's Word so that we can be ready always to give an answer.  The trick is that knowledge of God's Word is not enough.  We need to understand how to approach each person as an individual.  I think that is where many of these programs fall short.   It isn't enough to know God's Word, we must be able to articulate it to "every man who asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

JoJo Tabares holds a degree in Speech Communication, but it is her humorous approach to communication skills which has made her a highly sought-after Christian speaker and writer.  Her articles appear in homeschool publications, such as Homeschool Enrichment Magazine and The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, which also endorses her Say What You Mean curricula, including Say What You Mean: Defending the Faith.  You can also find JoJo on web sites such as Crosswalk.com and Dr.Laura.com.  For more information on communication FUNdamentals and Christian-based communication studies for the whole family, please visit http://www.ArtofEloquence.com

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Comments (0) :: Post A Comment! :: Permanent Link

• Oct. 11, 2008 - Three Women in a Tub

Posted By Miiko in Family Scrapbook

In a corn tub, that is.

A homeschool mom, a homeschool mom and a homeschool mom.
And it was fun.

I've asked DH to please build me a corn crib one day. It's really relaxing....and if you are in the neigborhood, you are welcome to de-stress in it, lol. 

Here are a few more pictures of our field trip last night.  They are mostly pictures of us riding a tricycle.  I forgot how entertaining it was.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our annual visit to the Tate Farm was by the grace of God. A few of the moms and many of the children were unwell days prior to the visit. But on the day itself, all of us were able to make it. Thank you Shari, for organizing it. Shari, by the way, is our beloved home school director. :)

Comments (4) :: Post A Comment! :: Permanent Link

• Oct. 11, 2008 - Homeschool Weekly - Oct. 11th

Posted By Plain Jane in Homeschool


Our homeschool week #5 in review...


We had another fun school week even though the teacher didn't feel much like being disciplined and doing school every day, the girls kept me going and I am grateful for that.


We do Sword Drills three times a week, and enjoying that.  I hope it's helping in looking up those passages quickly.


This week's hymn was "Praise to the Lord, the Almighty".  Happy to hear Ladybug singing out a bit louder than usual.


For Friday's Chapel time, we listened to the tape by Jonathan Lindvall on "Play & Toys for Godly Children".  I thought that would be appropriate for us all to hear in light of the Christmas catalogs now arriving in the mail.  It was also a good reminder of why we don't allow certain toys in our home (and hopefully helps set convictions in the girls hearts as well).  Some of these no-no toys are:  Toys that promote vanity (make-up at an early age); toys that promote inappropraite romance and toys that may promote sexual practices and are too anatomically correct; toys that promoate violence - we don't pretend fighting/arguing/killing; we don't pretend that the wife is disrespectful to the husband or that the children are disrespectful of the parents; toys that promote occult practices (Masters of the Universe, Dungeons & Dragons, Harry Potter, My Little Pony, Smurfs, Cabbage Patch Dolls (have Hindu middle names), Quijai Boards, and the like - both white & black magic).  We don't pretend sin.  I also added toys that promote excessive materialism.  Following the tape, we had a good discussion and the girls got to ask questions about what they should do when friends want to play a particular game that we don't believe is appropriate.  
 


We are continuing working our way through Genesis 3.  I purchased the Homeschool in the Woods Old Testament Activity Pac for some fun hands-on lapbook activities to go with our studies.  I sure do love all of Amy Pac's material!  We back tracked a bit this week and although we are studying Gen. 3 & reading the corresponding Bedell Curriculum on it, we also did the OT Activity Pac for Creation for our lapbooks (the other creation wheel we did earlier will now go in our Bible notebooks).



In American History we finished our lapbook inserts for the Great Awakening with Charles & John Wesley.  We then moved on to learning about colonial games and did Quilling.

Bookworm is finished with her project and Ladybug is almost done.  We also want to do silhouettes, but I need to buy some black cardstock.


This was oral report week again for the girls US Geography studies...

Bookworm reported on Vermont

Ladybug reported on New Hampshire

They also made dishes for supper from "Eat Your Way Through the USA".  Ladybug did a fine job at making Whole Wheat Bread - learning how to fold in ingredients and how to properly knead.  Bookworm made Maple-Coated Walnuts, which were good too.

 

We had another great week!  

That's all for this week.  Thanks for dropping by. 

My Dear Friend, Mrs. Cuddles, is the sweet hostess of this meme.  Homeschool Weekly gives me/us a fun opportunity to blog about how our school week went every Saturday and link our post to others too.   If you would like to join in or visit the Mr. Linky to others sharing about their week, please see Mrs. Cuddles for all the details.

Comments (8) :: Post A Comment! :: Permanent Link

• Oct. 11, 2008 - 21 Days to More Godly Communication

Posted By Communication FUNdamentals in Speak Up Saturdays
The Lord talks about communication HUNDREDs of times in His Word.  As we read the Word of God, we understand the power and impact of the tongue.  He cautions us and instructs us in its use, not just for making speeches, but for everyday life. 

They say it takes 21 days to make a habit so, over the next 21 days, I am going to share a few of  my favorite verses and the importance of applying them today. 

"A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver." -Proverbs 25:11

This is my signature verse so I thought I'd start with it.  I love this verse. It reminds me that our words are precious.  We shouldn't  just throw them out there and hope they stick.  We should take care to choose our words wisely and craft our conversation with wisdom, tailoring it to the unique individual and particular situation at hand. 

Being an effective communicator is more important today than it ever was before.  WHY?


* We are now communicating with the world.
Technology has given us the ability to communicate with people around the world.  With one click of a mouse we can send our words anywhere.  We need to remember that these unseen people are human beings from different cultures, backgrounds and experiences who see the world in a unique way. 

God doesn't make Cookie-Cutter People and there is no one-size-fits-all approach to communicating effectively.  It is critical that our words are a good "fit". 

* Misinformation abounds.
Precisely because it is so easy for someone to express their opinions to the world, it is equally as simple to express misinformation.  We have come to understand that, just because it is written in the paper or reported by a newscaster, doesn't necessarily make it true or accurate.  The  media is famous for twisting the truth and reporting whatever serves its agenda.  We need, also, to understand that whatever is typed into a blog or article on the internet may not be "the whole truth and nothing but the truth."

In today's society, it is often necessary to explain or clear up misunderstandings people have.  This isn't as easy to do these days because there are more "hot topics" than there used to be.  Politics and religion are no longer the only topics to "stay away from in polite company".  Today's society has an emotional reaction to many topics including homeschooling, evolution, gun control, global warming, vaccinations, etc. 

Today's discussions require much more communication skill to overcome the knee-jerk emotional reactions that inevitably follow any mention of many of these topics. 


* People are busy.
I remember watching a documentary from the 1950's that depicted what society would look like in the 1980's.  I think I watched it in the 1990's so it was quite humorous to me.  It showed the wife as the lady of leisure.  Due to the technological advances, she was able to get her housework done in a fraction of the time leaving her rested and able to pursue more of her interests. 

Today's woman is busy!  Aside from the housework and children, she is usually working as well (outside or inside the home).  Today's husband may have to work more than one job to make ends meet.  People no longer have the time to investigate issues thoroughly.  They rely more and more on the media and, as I said, the media has their own agenda to promote.  They no longer give you, as Sgt Friday used to say, "Just the facts, Ma'am."  The media infuses their "truth" with opinion, sound bites and misinformation. 

It takes much more communication skill to respectfully break through some of these deeply held, accepted beliefs.  It also takes more time. Time people generally don't have to wade through all the information out there and discover the truth.  They're busy keeping their family together and making ends meet. 

* Respectful discourse is no longer in fashion.
If you read the words of our forefathers, you will notice that, although they may have disagreed vehemently with someone, they usually did so with respect and in grace.  Not so these days. 

Because there is so much information (and misinformation) thrown at us when we are busier than ever, there is more of a frustration with life today.  Because much of the information we get is from faceless sources (TV, internet, email, billbaords) we are no longer coming face-to-face with a human being.   There is a justification, or even almost an entitlement, to respond to someone out of frustration with disrespect. 

I remember waiting in line behind a red light in the left turn lane a few years ago.  The woman behind me got out of her car, walked around to my driver's side window and began screaming her head off at me!  I remember her being behind me for several blocks prior to that.  She came into view when the car in front of her changed lanes.  I had no idea what she was so upset about and I dared not open my window to find out!  When the light changed to green, she got back in her car and went on her way. 

Road rage is only one of the many ways in which society has come to express their anger and frustration.  It is much less common for someone to do something so violent in person, but over the internet where you don't need to look into the eyes of your victim, people are much more likely to "fly off the handle". 

It takes much more communication skill to handle the typical "Nasty Grams" we get today. 

* Anti-Christian bias is.
More and more each day, Christians are told to sit down and be quiet about Jesus.  Just the mere mention of the name of our Lord and Savior brings anger to some.  More and more college professors and even high school teachers feel justified in spouting hatred of Christians, our beliefs and our Lord.  More and more God is being taken out of our society in the name of "separation of church and state." 

Even young Christian children may have to handle a question or negative comment (in school or even on the playground) about their faith.  It is no longer a matter of if a Christian will be asked to defend his faith, but when

God tells us to share the Good News.  We can't do that without communicating.  When we communicate, whether it be to share or defend our faith, express our political ideas or even just to have a conversation with someone in line at the grocery store, we cannot just throw our words out there and hope for the best.

The Lord tells us how we are to use the power of the tongue.  Throughout the Bible, He shares how we are to speak with one another.  Each of us is a unique creation of God who sees the world from a different perspective.  It takes much more skill to communicate than it used to.  We need to learn to share our thoughts and ideas in today's world.  The first step is to understand that our words are precious. 
 
A word fitly spoken can be a gift we give to others as we share our lives and experiences with them. 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

JoJo Tabares holds a degree in Speech Communication, but it is her humorous approach to communication skills which has made her a highly sought-after Christian speaker and writer.  Her articles appear in homeschool publications, such as Homeschool Enrichment Magazine and The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, which also endorses her Say What You Mean curricula.  You can also find JoJo on web sites such as Crosswalk.com and Dr.Laura.com.  For more information on communication FUNdamentals and Christian-based communication studies for the whole family, please visit http://www.ArtofEloquence.com

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~




From JoJo's Purple Crayon...

Comments (3) :: Post A Comment! :: Permanent Link

• Oct. 8, 2008 - Looking to interview some Homeschool Graduates for Independence Day at the Say What You Mean Convention!

Posted By Communication FUNdamentals
Hi HSBloggers and Friends!

The 4th Annual Say What You Mean Online Communication Convention is coming up in February (4th-6th, 2009)!  My moderators and I are working feverishly behind the scenes to bring you the BEST ever three days of online fun you ever did have! 

This year's theme is HOMESCHOOLING!  We will be discussing communication as it relates to our Kids (Kids Day), Moms (Moms Day) and our graduating seniors (Independence Day) as they go out into the world we prepared them for!

On the last day (Independence Day) I will be uploading a bunch of 20-30 minute interviews with various homeschool graduates that have gone on to do different things.  This is going to be such fun to hear their struggles and triumphs so that you know what is available out there for homeschoolers after graduation.  There is PLENTY of choices but it's good to hear them straight from the horses mouths. 

I am looking for homeschool graduates who fit the following descriptions:

* currently a 2nd or 3rd year college student
* currently a graduating senior in college
* graduated college and is currently working in Corporate America
* went straight into their own business
* Went to a trade school
* is currently working as a consultant of some kind
* went on to work for the family business
* anything else that is different

If you fit any of these situations or know someone who does, please contact me jojo@artofeloquence.com so we can discuss it further.  Who knows, you could end up with an audio on the SWMConvention for the entire year! 



From JoJo's Purple Crayon...

Where's FIMM?  Did you find himm this week?
Where's FIMM? Come find the only Foot in Mouth Man picture that is different from all the rest. Email what he looks like and where you found himm to fimm@artofeloquence.com and you could win a free Art of Eloquence eProduct of your choice!

Comments (0) :: Post A Comment! :: Permanent Link

• Oct. 10, 2008 - Friday Funny: Ironing is Futile!

Posted By Communication FUNdamentals in Friday Funnies
We can put a man on the moon.. we can communicate with people all over the world through the technology of the internet, but we can't iron wrinkles out of a shirt!  The face of ironing hasn't changed much since it was invented and it's a chore, as Dr. Seuss put it, "I can't stand in the least"!

Let's investigate this phenomenon:

You start off with a mildly wrinkled, clean shirt your dh needs to wear tomorrow.  First, major planning is required if you have little ones.  If you don't think so, you've never had a hot iron nearly fall off the ironing board as your two year old son rounds the corner with his remote control car. 

Next, you take out your ironing board and set it up in a place that's most inconvenient.  There never seems to be an open plug anywhere where you can watch TV to take your mind off the seemingly endless job of wrinkle removal.  As you unfold the ironing board, it emits this ear piercing screech that will surely wake up the baby -shattering any hopes you might have had about getting this all done during his nap.   So... setting the iron up again as Jr's in the playpen (and biding time with toys and cute talk), you begin to pray!

Ironing is really a matter of communication.  Ok, now the old gal has really gone off her nut, right?  Actually it's really a matter of MIScommunication. Here's the scenario:

Now the real fun begins!  The first communication failure is when you try to figure out how on earth you can lay this shirt down so that it's flat enough all the way around in order to attempt to iron it correctly.  You begin to fiddle and, as you do, you naturally talk to the shirt to try to get it to cooperate.  Unfortunately shirts know just how to sit there like dead weight making it difficult for you to position.  You fiddle.  You faddle and finally you decide it's not going to get any better. 

While holding the shirt in place with one hand as best you can to keep it from wriggling out of position, you grab the HOT iron with the other hand and begin to talk the iron through the process.

"Ok now come on!  Let's just get one section done before Johnny gets bored with the playpen.  UGH!  Too late!" 

Coming back to the iron minutes or even hours later...

Now you really need to get this done. It's 10pm, the kids are in bed and hubby needs this shirt for tomorrow.  You start to iron-carefully laying the shirt on the board and, after several agonizing minutes, the left front is done.  Yaahooo!  The back is going pretty well until you realize that there is a yellow stain that is suddenly visible!

"Now where did THAT come from!  It wasn't there before!" you mutter to yourself.

Looking at the iron you notice that there is a little residue inside the steam holes.

"Great!  Now I have to wash it again!  Ok!  It's only on the bottom, nobody will see it when he tucks his shirt in.  Now, can we just get the rest of this done before I'm wrinkled?"

As you continue to iron the back of the shirt, the cord catches on the shirt tail lifting it up so quickly that, by the time you notice, you have just ironed a wrinkle INTO the shirt.  Now this is no ordinary wrinkle.  This is a permanent crease in the shirt!  You iron madly- trying to get it out while pleading with your iron to do this one little thing for you!  

It's no use and now you're frustrated enough so that you almost don't care what it looks like, you just want to STOP IRONING!  You lay the sleeves on the board and crab at the iron:

"Just get this done before midnight, shall we?"

You hang the shirt up and wonder if you shoudn't have just left it alone in the first place. 

Now, as I said, ironing has remained pretty much the same for over 100 years.  Oh they've made some attempts at Ironing Technology, but it falls far short of being called an advancement!

When I was a little girl they came out with "Permanent Press".  Now the word permanent means: 1. not temporary, 2. continuing and enduring without fundamental or marked change, 3. stable.  So a Permanent Press Shirt should remain permanently pressed, right?  WRONG!  Now what it could mean is that when you unintentionally put a crease in the shirt with your iron, it's PERMANENT!  I have had shirts that retained an ironing crease wash after wash!  Thanks guys!!

Now being anti-ironing as I am, I have found a better way and I want to share it with you.  This is JoJo's No Iron Ironing Technique and it will let you live a ironing stress free life where you will never have to communicate with your iron again.  Here's what you do:

1. After washing the shirts, put them in the dryer and set your timer so you take them out of the dryer immediately, if not sooner! 

2.  Hang the shirts up directly after you remove them from the dryer and let them cool. 

3. Don't hang them too close to each other.  You don't want them fraternizing with each other causing any unnecessary wrinkling. 

4. DON'T iron them.  Ironing is futile!



~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

JoJo Tabares holds a degree in Speech Communication, but it is her humorous approach to communication skills which has made her a highly sought-after Christian speaker and writer.  Her articles appear in homeschool publications, such as Homeschool Enrichment Magazine and The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, which also endorses her Say What You Mean curricula.  You can also find JoJo on web sites such as Crosswalk.com and Dr.Laura.com.  For more information on communication FUNdamentals and Christian-based communication skills for the whole family, please visit http://www.ArtofEloquence.com

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~




From JoJo's Purple Crayon...

Where's FIMM?  Did you find himm this week?
Where's FIMM? Come find the only Foot in Mouth Man picture that is different from all the rest. Email what he looks like and where you found himm to fimm@artofeloquence.com and you could win a free Art of Eloquence eProduct of your choice!

Comments (0) :: Post A Comment! :: Permanent Link

• Oct. 9, 2008 - Politics, Christianity and Communication on Today's Grace Talk Soup!

Posted By Communication FUNdamentals in Issues Thursday
Is it right for Christians to become involved in the political process?  Are all politicians good communicators?  Are communication tactics being used to bamboozle the voter?  How can we know the truth about what they represent? 

On the Menu: My scheduled guest had an emergency so my good friend, Bette Dowdell, author of "How to Be a Christian Without Being Annoying!" will be pinch hitting for her today!

Actually this is very timely as Americans are trying to sift through the rhetoric.  What does the Bible say about getting involved with politics?   What is the communication skill of the candidates ...and the media?  Come share your thoughts!


To join us live: Call in to the show at 8am PST/ 11am EST
Phone Number: (724) 444-7444
Call ID: 19736

Can't join us live?  Listen to the recording at your convenience!
http://www.talkshoe.com/tc/19736 
And scroll down to Past Episodes to click on the Listen button of the show you wish to hear!


Grace Talk Soup is recorded live every Thursday morning from 8am-9am PST and each recording is available indefinitely. 



From JoJo's Purple Crayon...

Where's FIMM?  Did you find himm this week?
Where's FIMM? Come find the only Foot in Mouth Man picture that is different from all the rest. Email what he looks like and where you found himm to fimm@artofeloquence.com and you could win a free Art of Eloquence eProduct of your choice!

Comments (0) :: Post A Comment! :: Permanent Link

About Me

Hello! I own Berrysong, the best cleaners in the world! Berrysong cleaners are super safe and effective; and they won't mess up your budget. They are made from processed extracts of plants and trees which are all US grown! No icky, yucky toxic chemicals! Visit us often for specials, contests, great tips and informative articles.

Subscribe to Berrysong Living!

User Name:
Email Address:


More abour Berrysong Living!

Links

Home
View my profile
Archives
Friends
Email Me
My Blog's RSS
Berrysong

Categories

Cleaning and Organizing Tips
Contests and Special Announcements
Healthy Eating Tips
Heart Issues
Inspiring Thoughts
Laughter and Fun
News and Information

Friends

MiikoGibson

CommunicationFUNdamentals
ericaand3kids
gardenbunny
robinkay
lisa1861
PlainJane
Page 1 of 5
Last Page | Next Page